by Alison Mello
Around six, Ashton drove me home seeing I was tired as I yawned every five minutes. Walking me to my door, he said a quick good night and kissed my forehead once again. As he walked away, I had to hold myself back from running after him and kissing him. I wanted to feel his soft and warm lips against mine again, but for some reason Ashton wouldn’t go that far. Sighing, I twisted open my door knob and walked in.
“You’re home,” Kacey said out of nowhere, making me almost scream. It was almost like one of those scary movies. Kacey sat on the couch cross-legged and staring at me almost creepily. I could tell she had been waiting for me to come home and she had her interrogation face on. Her blue eyes were narrowed and her eyebrows drawn in. I gulped waiting for all her questions to start flying at me. I didn’t have to wait too long before her mouth was moving a hundred miles per hour. I only caught a few of her questions, making me stand there staring at her confused. She finally took a deep breath.
“So, what happened? And don’t you dare leave anything out.” I slipped off my high heels and dropped my bag on the table, then I took a seat on the couch. Before I even sat down, I was telling Kacey everything from the moment I left the apartment yesterday morning to when I just walked through the door. For the first time, she sat there quietly listening to me and not making comments in-between. When I got to the part where Ashton was rude to me and then nice by taking me to dinner, I got confused.
“Kay, I don’t know what to do. One second he is super sweet and caring, then the next his rude, curt, and doesn’t care if he hurts me,” I said, almost whining. “He seems almost bipolar.”
“Layla, you keep forgetting that work Ashton is different than nice Ashton. Do you think he would be where he is right now by being nice? Things probably would have been a lot easier if you had met business Ashton before nice Ashton. You have to realize that at work he is going to be different to you, even though you are his PA,” Kacey said.
“I know. It’s just hard. When I see him at work and he’s in is hot suits, I just want to jump him,” I admitted embarrassedly.
“You know you can’t date him now, right?”
“What?” I asked even though I knew what she meant.
“You know what I’m talking about. Do you want people to start thinking the only reason you got the job was because you slept with him? Now that you are his PA, you can’t have him.” Her words hurt but were true. I couldn’t have anything to do with him romantically. “I am sorry, Lay,” she said when she saw the look on my face.
“No, it’s fine.” I shook my head. “I don’t like him, Kay. I mean, I can’t deny that is he isn’t attractive but I don’t like him like that,” I lied, although I didn’t sound convincing at all. Even though I had only known Ashton for a week, I already felt something for him. Kacey just stared at me giving me a look.
“Layla, I don’t want you to get your hopes up. You have to remember that Ashton is a womanizer as well. I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
The rest of the night, Kacey’s words kept running through my mind. He’s a womanizer. What if he was just using me? That I was just his flavor of the week? Later that night, as I sat in bed researching the company on my laptop, I thought of Ashton. I didn’t want to be just a fling or his flavor of the week. I wanted something more but I knew that it couldn’t happen, and I worked for him now. Finally, around ten o’clock, I forced myself to stop thinking of him and go to sleep. Unfortunately, that was impossible and I went to sleep with his face imprinted in my head.
***
Ashton
After dropping Layla off at home, I drove home with a small smile on my face and her in my thoughts. Ever since I met her, I couldn’t escape her. Everywhere I went and everything I did, I saw her in my head. After parking my 911 Carrera Porsche in my garage, I walked inside.
“Dude, why are you smiling?” a familiar voice asked as I passed by my living room. I stopped and turned to see Nick sitting on my couch.
“Why aren’t you at your house?” I shot at him, but my tone wasn’t as rude as I wanted it to be.
“You know I love your couch.” He got up. I just rolled my eyes at him. Having known Nick since we were teens, I was used to him and his weirdness. “What’s got you smiling?”
“Well…it’s my new PA. It’s the girl from the bar the other night,” I told him, loosening my tie.
“The one with the cute dark-haired girl I danced with?”
“Yeah, her friend. Her name is Layla. I hired her to be my new assistant.”
“So, she’s the one occupying your time lately and who was in your thoughts at lunch today.” I nodded. At lunch, my thoughts were stuck on her and I couldn’t seem to concentrate on anything and ended our meeting early, wanting to get back to the office.
“Man, she has you wrapped around her finger, doesn’t she?” Nick said, smirking at me. “Never would have thought I’d see the day Ashton Miller was hooked on a girl.”
“Wait, I am not wrapped around her finger. Ashton Miller doesn’t get hooked on a girl either. They get hooked on me.”
“Then why are you smiling and thinking about her twenty-four seven?” I glared at him. I was not that guy who lusts after women; it was the opposite. Something about what he said though stuck in my head. Maybe I was getting hooked on her. That thought alone was worse than anything I could think of. No way was I going to let that happen to me; not again. From now on, I needed to stay away from Layla. I would not let my business and reputation get ruined over some girl. With that thought, I made it my goal to ignore Layla and go back to the way things were before I met her. Ever since I met her, things changed and they needed to get back to normal.
“Get out of my apartment,” I growled at Nick and went back the way I came. I was going to get Layla out of my head.
***
I woke up the next morning to a hand running across my chest. I opened my eyes and stared at a pretty blonde stroking my head. I briefly remembered meeting her last night at a bar but wasn’t too sure. I think her name was Emily.
“Good morning.” The girl purred as she saw I was awake. I glanced around and was relieved to see we were in one of my guest bedrooms. I didn’t ever sleep with someone in my own bed. We either go to one of my guest bedrooms, her apartment, or even do it at the bar in the bathroom. Seeing the sun was up and shining through the blinds, I knew I was late for work. I got up and started walking out the bedroom door ignoring the girl protesting behind me.
“Wait? Where are you going?” she asked as she trailed behind me only covered in a sheet. I turned around and looked at her. It didn’t bother me that I stood naked in front of her. I could see her breasts through the sheet and almost wanted to take her back to the guest bedroom, but I stopped myself.
“Make sure you don’t take anything on your way out. You know where the door is,” I said and with that, I walked away from her. I felt her eyes on my back as I left her standing there but I ignored that. I was not going to lie but when I woke up, for a split second I though Layla was the one next to me. I guess going out and hooking up with a random girl, I still couldn’t get my mind off of her.
I went to a bar last night hoping I couldn’t find someone to get my mind off of her, but the entire night I kept comparing women to Layla. The more I did it, the more I got mad and soon I had lost count of how many drinks I had and I only remember grabbing some girl and taking her back here. I heard my front door slam shut as I walked through my bedroom door. I just shrugged as I made my way to my shower. I couldn’t care less if that girl was pissed at me. It wasn’t like I asked her to my girlfriend. Plus, I didn’t plan on seeing her ever again. She should be happy right now; I gave her the best sex she will probably ever have.
I washed my body thoroughly in the shower, getting the smell of sex off of me, before stepping out. I saw on the clock that it was eight. Seeing as I was already late and that I was the boss, I took my time getting dressed. After putting on a gray suit, I went downstairs grabbing my keys and phone
that I had thankfully remembered to put by the door last night. As I locked the door behind me and made my way to my car, I thought about last night. I could feel myself getting mad that I cheated on Layla, but I stopped it before it could get worse. I didn’t cheat on her. We aren’t even together. That thought did little to make me feel better.
As I drove to the office, I was shocked at what I was feeling. I was Ashton Miller. I didn’t get feelings over a girl, and I sure as hell didn’t feel bad about “cheating” on them. I had to start keeping my distance from Layla. She was making me feel things that I shouldn’t. It would be hard since she now worked for me but I had to do it. With a plan inside my head, I got out of my car. I had to keep away from her and break whatever it was we have before it was too late, even if that meant I had to hurt to do so.
***
Layla
When I got to work the next morning, I was surprised to see Ashton wasn’t already there. I even asked Judy where he was but she didn’t know either. Sending him a quick text from my work phone, I headed to my office to start on my work. I had been up late into the night researching and studying up on everything I could about the company. If someone came up and asked me who were our biggest competitors, and who were our biggest beneficiaries I could tell you. I was really impressed with myself honestly. Who could have learned all that in just a few long hours?
I spent the next few hours setting up meetings for Ashton, talking to supervisors, and finishing the filing cabinet. Walking out of my office, I stared down at my phone making sure I hadn’t missed a call or text from Ashton. I was starting to worry about him since I hadn’t heard from him since last night. Sighing, I closed my phone and headed to the elevator. I had paperwork I needed to be signed and looked over by marketing. I wasn’t entirely sure where to go, but I figured it couldn’t be that hard to find. As I silently rode the elevator down, I remembered Neena said marketing was on either the twenty-fifth floor. Seeing that the elevator was stopping on that floor, I got out along with a few other people. I figured since I had to get these papers signed by the supervisor, I should head to the back where that person would have their office. Hopefully the floor was the same layout as mine or I was going to head in the wrong direction. After almost getting lost twice, I came to a stop in front of what looked to be a receptionist.
“Uh, hi,” I said awkwardly to the lady. She looked to be in her mid-thirties and had a cute shoulder like cut to her hair. When she looked up at me, a pair of deep green eyes stared back at me.
“Hello. What can I do you for?” she asked politely.
“I’m here for Mrs. Johnson. I have some papers that need her approval and signature.”
“She just met with someone but I can give them to you for her if you would like.” I knew it was bad, but I felt relieved that she was gone. I wanted to get back upstairs and see if Ashton had come in yet, and I didn’t want to talk to the lady forever as well. I knew I was being rude but I just didn’t have it in me today.
“Yes, thank you so much. Just tell her that they don’t need to be handed back until Friday. And when she is finished have her call my number,” I said, sending the lady a smile. I didn’t know if Mrs. Johnson would have my number, so I made sure to add it onto the papers with a sticky note. Thanking the lady once again, I headed back upstairs.
I said hi to a few people as I made my way back to Ashton’s office and I was relieved to see Ashton standing next to Judy’s desk. I picked up my pace, hard to do in my heels, and quickly came to a stop beside him.
“Ash—Mr. Miller, you are here,” I said, fixing myself. I tried not to check him out which was very hard to do. He was wearing a nice gray suit that somehow made his bright blue eyes pop even more. His brown hair was styled in his sexy curly but slicked-back way. I could feel my stomach erupt into butterflies just looking at him. Stupid feelings!
“Ms. Kingston.” He kept his eyes away from my face. “What did I miss?”
“Nothing. I just got back from giving those papers you asked me to give to Mrs. Johnson in marketing. I confirmed your twelve o’clock meeting with Mr. Holland. And I have a few things for you to look over before I can type up those reports to send to London; I sat them down on your desk earlier.” I rattled off the things I had done and needed to do. I stood there feeling proud for it only come crashing down.
“I need you to go pick up my dry cleaning, make sure my maid has come to my house and cleaned up and that she had stocked the fridge up, and I need you to book me a reservation at Servantino’s tomorrow night at seven,” Ashton said to me. He was back to being cold when talking to me. I swallowed what I wanted to say to him when I remembered what Kacey had said. This was business Ashton; he would treat me like every other employee.
“I, uh, what?” I stuttered out, confused. He wanted me to run errands for him?
“Did I stutter?” He finally turned to me and glared at me, his voice as hard as a rock. I took a small step back from him. Seeing him glaring at me made me scared.
“I, uh, I n-no.” I shook my head, my eyes wide.
“Good. I want it done and I expect you to be here at noon for my meeting to take notes. I need everything set up in the conference room, and that includes all the inquires of Mr. Holland’s account, everything that has been used with his money, and a reason as to why he should stay with us.” I stood there staring at him, confused. He had never talked to me this way before. From the corner of my eye, I even saw Judy staring at him wide-eyed.
“Sir, that’s only two hours away from now!” It was a little after ten and he expected me to get that all done in two hours and still be at that meeting?
“Is that a problem? You are my PA, not some other employee. I expect one hundred and ten percent on this job. Just because I knew you before I hired you does not mean I will give you special treatment.” He hissed at me. “If you cannot follow my orders, then I expect you to be put out on the street. I do not care that it is two hours away from now. I want it done and it will be done. If you cannot do that, then don’t bother coming back at all.” He leered down at me. With one last venom look, he stalked into his office.
I stared after him, feeling tears pooling in my eyes. Never had I seen someone look at me with such venom besides my father. I bit the inside of my cheek hard, tasting blood. Taking in a shaky breath and swallowing my tears, I headed to do what I was told. I was going to do everything Ashton told me to do in time and then shove it in his face.
Chapter 17
Layla
For the next two hours, I went all over hell and breakfast. Thankfully Ashton wasn’t that rude to make me take a cab. Clark, Ashton’s driver, was parked on the curb and seemed to be waiting for me. I didn’t know if Ashton told him I was coming or Judy, but for some reason I thought Judy did it.
“Hello Clark,” I said once I reached him.
“Hello, Ms. Kingston.” Clark nodded at me and opened the door.
“Thank you.” I slipped inside. A second later, Clark slid into the driver’s seat.
“Where to?” he asked.
“Um, I don’t know the address but Mr. Miller’s dry-cleaning place?” I said. I was going to refer Ashton as Mr. Miller now after the way he talked to me.
“I know the place.” He nodded and started driving in the right direction. While Clark drove to the dry cleaners, I decided I should make Ashton’s dinner reservations. As I searched the number for the restaurant, I couldn’t help but wonder why he needed a reservation and who he was going with. Even after he yelled at me and was completely rude, I couldn’t stop the small feeling of hope that bloomed in my chest thinking that maybe he would be taking me.
I made the reservation under his name at seven, and by time I was done we were pulling up in front of the dry cleaners. Before Clark could open my door, I got out and told him I would be just a minute. I walked into the place and was struck with awe. This wasn’t a typical dry cleaner. All different kinds of suits hung on mannequins all over the store, and it looked to also
be a place where you buy suits instead of taking to get them clean. From where I stood at the door, I could see expensive named brands on the suits.
“Hello, how can I help you, miss?” an older man asked, coming up to me.
“Oh hi. I am here to pick up Mr. Miller’s suits,” I told the man.
“Right. This way.” He turned and walked toward the back of the store. I followed behind him in awe at how many suits there were. The man went around the counter and went through a door I figured held all the suits. A minute later, he stepped back out with a big black bag. From the hangers sticking out of the top, I saw there were about six suits or so. “Here you go.” He handed it to me. I grabbed it and tried not to show how heavy it was. Who knew suits were heavy!
“How much is it?” I asked.
“It’s been taken care of. Let Mr. Miller we thank him.” With that, the man walked out from behind the counter and walked over. Okay.
I awkwardly carried the six suits in my arms and to the car. Thankfully, Clark opened the door for me. I slid them in first along the seat, and then scooted in after. As I shifted the bag around, I told Clark to take me to Ashton’s house. Two things down, three more to go. I checked my phone for the time and saw it was a quarter to eleven. I may just make it in time.
As we drove toward Ashton’s house, I called Mr. Holland to confirm he would be there at noon. I got off the phone with his assistant just as we pulled up. I quickly got out and headed to the elevator to his floor. The annoying elevator music drifted around me as I rode up silently to Ashton’s floor. A minute later, I came to a stop in front of his door and I realized I had no way to get inside. I quickly got out my phone and called Judy. It rang three times before she answered.
“Hello?”